Melissa Crawford joins Ellipses as our newest Public Relations Director! Melissa’s 13 years of public relations expertise lies in the luxury hospitality sector where she has served as a driving force behind some of the Bay Area’s most anticipated restaurant openings, culinary events and product launches. Learn more about Melissa, both personally and professionally, below.

1. I first knew I wanted to be in PR when: In all honesty, I didn’t set out to be a publicist. I fell into journalism after struggling as a graphic design major. I had a teacher urge me to consider taking my career in a different direction. I am so grateful for his honesty.
2. My dream client: I love hospitality clients and have had the opportunity to work with so many amazing restaurants, hotels and wineries in and around the Bay Area throughout my career. I’d love the opportunity to work on a hotel client or top dining establishment overseas.
3. If I weren’t in PR, I would be: I would open my own traveling floral truck. Like a food truck only selling pretty flowers!
4. Your biggest PR horror story: Let’s just say it had to do with a journalist at Playboy and a high-end wine event. We’ll leave it at that. 😉
5. My first job was: I was a sign & banner maker.
6. My biggest accomplishment so far: Landing my client in O, The Oprah Magazine, Favorite Things issue in 2015.
7. Favorite social media platform:  Instagram! Follow me at @mrs._mommymonster
8. My biggest pet peeve is: Slurping. It’s like nails on a chalkboard for me.
9. Best movie I ever saw: I’m not a movie buff but one of my all-time favorites is The Family Man
10. Why I love my job, in three words: Lots. Of. Yum!
11. I’m secretly terrified of: Snakes. I am deathly afraid of snakes. Or any reptile for that manner.
12. I’m embarrassed to admit it, but I watch: Bachelor In Paradise
13. Favorite place I’ve traveled to: Positano, Italy
14. If I could go only go to one place before I die, I would go: To see the Northern Lights in Iceland. And Greece…Santorini specifically.
15. If I could have dinner with anybody, alive or dead, it would be: I would have to say my grandmother (my father’s mom) who I never met. She passed when my father was young. From what I’ve been told she was an amazing woman and my grandfather adored her. I’d love to have one conversation with her as an adult.
16. EBooks or physical books: I have to go with physical books. Hands down.
17. Favorite thing about the Bay Area: The constant change. There’s always something new and exciting to see or do.
18. The song I have on repeat right now: Oh there are so many…but I’d have to say Some of It by Eric Church.
19. When I’m not working: I’m usually spending time with my two daughters outdoors or getting dirty in my garden.
20. Favorite publication to read: I’m really into Sunset these days. I also love Fine Cooking and Eating Well.
21. Advice to those who want to be in PR: Public Relations can be high-paced and stressful at times but landing those big hits that clients love makes it all worth it. My job in PR has brought me so many experiences that I probably never would have encountered. Embrace them!